Germany on Thursday urged China not to send weapons to Russia and demanded it to put pressure on the latter to withdraw troops.
Addressing the German parliament, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged China to exert pressure on Moscow to pull back its forces. Though Scholz appreciated steps taken by China for nuclear de-escalation, he added it was disappointing that China refrained from condemning the Russian invasion.
China has denied any intention to arm Russia and one of its senior diplomats told the United Nations on February 23 that "sending weapons will not bring peace" but add "fuel to the fire," Reuters reported.
"My message to Beijing is clear: use your influence in Moscow to urge the withdrawal of Russian troops," Scholz was quoted saying by Reuters. "Don't deliver any weapons to the aggressor Russia," he added.
Scholz and US President Joe Biden are expected to discuss China and its role in the Russia-Ukraine war during their meeting at White House on Friday. Reuters reported that Scholz's message to Beijing comes at a time of heightened tensions between the US and China and as Germany is also reassessing what kind of relationship it wants with China, hitherto a vital export market for German goods.
Scholz said "One can rightly expect China to discuss its ideas with the main stakeholders - with the Ukrainians and with President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy," the publication reported. The Ukrainian President had expressed interest to meet the Chinese President, however, it is unclear whether such a meeting would materialise.
